Henry Rollins is the kind of guy who can (and does) say whatever the fuck he wants. And we all know why: A lil' somethin' called Black Flag. From the second Flag disbanded, its final singer didn't waste a moment wallowing in the aftermath.
He sprang into action. And ever since, Rollins has participated in a plethora of projects. His upcoming spoken-word gig at Revolution Live in Fort Lauderdale is part of a tour to promote a recently published collection of photographs from his time spent in North Korea, Mongolia, Bhutan, Vietnam, India, Tibet, Sudan, Uganda, Haiti, and Cuba.
But all that's only the tip of the iceberg.
Rollins Band. Everyone knows that at the end of the long, mosh-pit-and-loogie-filled day, Black Flag belonged to Greg Ginn. And as chief executor of the most important hardcore punk band of all time — and the legendary SST Records — Ginn earned a reputation as a control-obsessed killjoy, which might have something to do with his band going through about 20 members in a single decade. After the five violent, chaotic, and intense years Hank spent serving in Greg's army, he knew damn well what he would name his new punkadelic band.
Rollins Wit. Fun fact: Before settling on the egomaniacal handle Rollins Band, Hank thought it might be a good idea to go with — brace yourself — an even dumber band name, Henrietta Collins and the Wifebeating Childhaters. Such wit!
Rollins Poetry. Anytime you try to make fun of someone's poetry (the crappy symbols, the melodramatic diction, the self-important tone of recitation), some ninny just has to commend the poet for his or her bravery in sharing such intimate writing with the whole world. But that's not why people don't make fun of Henry Rollins's poetry. The real reason no one dares make light of Hank's poesie is because he can beat any critic's ass. That said, we recommend skipping his free-verse and going right for Get in the Van, Rollins's superjuicy Black Flag memoir.
Rollins Meme. Last year, a video interview titled "Henry Rollins vs. Hipsters" went viral. The synopsis: "Henry gets mocked by local hipsters at the record store and fights back immediately." Choice Rollins quote: "What? I'm the 45-year-old narc?" But while Hank certainly came off kinda douchey, we can't blame him for his defensiveness. He's become so used to dodging skinheads about to bludgeon him with a sock full of quarters as punishment for growing his hair long that when those record-shopping gals gave him a friendly heckle, Rollins attacked!
Rollins Movie. Starring a pre-tiger-blood Charlie Sheen and, of course, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, late '90s kidnapping comedy The Chase is not only the best moment of Henry Rollin's post-Black Flag career. It's likely to stand as his most culturally relevant contribution ever.
